Five Things to Know in Chicago: Stumbling over words and security firms falling asleep

Mike Ramsey

Friday

Oct 26, 2007 at 12:01 AMOct 26, 2007 at 3:08 AM

Word came Thursday: The entire federal appeals bench in Chicago will not consider whether ex-Gov. George Ryan should get another trial on racketeering charges. The politician’s six-month trial at the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse concluded in April 2006 with Ryan’s conviction; three appeals judges affirmed the verdicts in August.

Reaction abounded. Among those who offered an opinion was Ryan’s successor, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose own administration has undergone the scrutiny of federal investigators.

“At the end of the day, it’s whether you did things right or wrong,” Blagojevich said. “Clearly Gov. Ryan did things wrong. A jury of his peers found that he did wrongdoing, and now the sad reality is that he is facing the consequences of that wrongdoing.”

Next up, Ryan’s legal team is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court as the retiree faces his prison term.

Taxes on the menu. Diners may have gotten indigestion Wednesday as Cook County Board President Todd Stroger outlined his tax-increase plans during a luncheon sponsored by the City Club of Chicago. The much-maligned Stroger may not have helped his cause when he stumbled badly over two words in his speech – “obstetrical” and “effectuate” – and mispronounced the word “desert,” as in wasteland.

Stroger warned that poor areas of the city could become a health care “dessert” – as in the after-dinner course – without additional county revenue. He corrected himself amid a few chuckles from the audience.

Water, water everywhere … guards, not so much. The city reportedly has moved to cancel the contract of the security firm that was hired to protect two water-filtration plants. The reason: The company’s guards allegedly had abandoned their posts or were asleep on the job.

Rookery sold. The Rookery Building on LaSalle Avenue in Chicago’s Loop has been sold to a European interest for $73 million, published reports say. The 12-story building – built in the late-1800s and resembling a castle or a rook chess piece – was designed by legendary architects Daniel Burnham and John Root. Today, it’s a National Historic Landmark and enjoys a high occupancy rate.

What’s new. You can get to Russia from Chicago, but not on a direct flight. That will change next June, when American Airlines offers a straight 10-hour shot to Russia. Airline and Chicago officials recently trumpeted the new service; prices weren’t announced.

Mike Ramsey can be reached at (312) 857-2323 or ghns-ramsey@sbcglobal.net .